“I also expected it to be a long fight” – Bart Lemmen happy to play important role for Simon Yates & Visma at Giro d'Italia
Cycling
Stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia delivered fireworks on the
slopes of Monte Grappa, and for Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider Bart Lemmen, it
was a day to remember in the breakaway.
The 29-year-old Dutchman, who made his Grand Tour debut at
the 2024 Tour de France as a late replacement for Sepp Kuss, found himself at
the centre of the action once again. Speaking to Eurosport after the stage,
Lemmen reflected on a hard earned day up the road.
"This was the plan and I also expected it to be a long
fight. You don't get it for free here, no."
It was a tactical play by Team Visma | Lease a Bike,
designed to cover multiple scenarios depending on how the GC battle played out.
“We had the idea, just like during the other escape days, to
have someone ahead,” Lemmen explained. “That way you can always anticipate if
it blows up, and I think that happened three times, haha. But then at least
you’re there. If it doesn’t happen, it could be a day for the win.”
With the pink jersey group throwing punches behind, Lemmen
was in position to react, serve as a launchpad, or even go for the stage if the
dynamics allowed. While a stage win didn’t materialise, the effort proved
instrumental as team leader Simon Yates strengthened his position in the
general classification.
Yates & Del Toro reach the final rest day 2 & 1 in the Giro GC
Yates, currently second overall and just 1:20 behind maglia
rosa Isaac Del Toro, gained time on several rivals thanks in part to the
foundation laid by Lemmen’s presence up the road. Primoz Roglic had a nightmare
stage 15, losing over 90 seconds, and Yates is now in a superb position for the
podium.
"The situation changed three or four times,"
Lemmen noted, referring to repeated attacks in the favourites group. "But
in the end I waited and we did a good thing in the classification with
Simon."
The erratic tempo in the peloton made for a mentally
demanding day.
“It goes back and forth like that,” Lemmen described. “We
really do ride on, but we weren’t riding at full speed. And if they do go all
out then it’s gone again quickly. You can see that too. That’s why I take it
kilometer by kilometer. And I have to be honest, I just saw the numbers… Then
it’s not much thinking, but making sure you stay at the front of the race.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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leedorney02-11-2026 - Watch the interview on youtube. I don't speak French. I do speak English and Spanish and you can hear it in his voice. Years ago LeMond had real personal problems I imagine in no small part because of Armstrong. then Armstrong goes round "full blast" re: LeMond having drinking and drug problems. The same way Andreu was expelled from mainstream cycling so was LeMond. On the positive side the clips of the ride and chatting with old teammates and was good. To seemed like a fun day and experience and good reason brush up his French.atom02-11-2026
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Rafionain-Glas02-11-2026 - Welcome to the off-season.
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